ARE YOU FELINE WHAT I'M FELINE?
3 Scientifically Proven Health Benefits of Having a Cat
So while cats may not be purrrrrfect, they not only provide important companionship but can also have powerful effects on your well-being. Here are five ways cats can help your health. Meow!
1. You'll be less stressed!
If you've ever spent an afternoon cuddled on the couch stroking Fluffy's fur or scratching Simba's ears, you already know anecdotally the calming effect it can have. But there's also hard research to back the stress-reducing benefits of physically interacting with a feline.
2. You'll be happier!
In addition to lowering stress levels, face time with a furry friend may also boost your mood—even if those minutes are through a computer screen. Jessica Myrick, Ph.D. found that after viewing cat content, patients, "reported higher levels of positive emotions, lower levels of negative emotions, and they also reported feeling a little more energized."
3. You'll sleep better!
Several studies and polls in the UK have found that people (especially women) prefer to sleep with their cats than with their partners. A study indicates that they might be on to something: 41 percent of the people in that study indicated that they slept better because of their pet!